It would be easy for Celtic to take their eye of the ball. A huge Scottish Cup game at Tannadice last week, which was more difficult than the score-line suggests, before Neil Lennon had what will have been a few traumatic days. The tension in the west of Scotland ahead of next weekend’s game at Ibrox is already tangible; in truth, we could do with some quiet preparation time ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Communities League Cup Final against Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock have no such worries. The Cup Final tomorrow is their season. Out of the Scottish Cup and certain to finish in the bottom six of the SPL, their focus will be absolute tomorrow. Kenny Shiels’ team have won only four league games since October but you will not need me to tell you two of those victories were against Rangers.
Two home wins within six days against Rangers and Aberdeen, the latter on 3 December, suggested Killie were certain to challenge for a European place this season, but things have moved south since then. They beat St Mirren on 2 January at Rugby Park before that impressive performance dumped Rangers on their bums at Ibrox last month.
Kenny Shiels made it onto Radio Scotland during the week to tell the nation that Celtic were so good it would be a travesty if they didn’t win the treble. I totally agree (and I’m warming to this guy) but Kenny knows exactly what he is doing. He intends to win the cup tomorrow and will know every potential weakness in the Celtic team.
History suggests he has a decent chance. Since winning five consecutive finals (until 1969), Celtic competed in 20 finals, winning only seven. We have some form to make up in this tournament.
Issue 7 of CQN Magazien is out now! Go to the dedicated magazine site here to read it properly (which you’ll not be able to do below).
We are now shipping hard copies of the magazine from the UK – and sold out last month (unlike Rangers tickets last week). Order your copy by clicking on the link below. If you want a copy shipped overseas (note, seas, not sees) email me, celticquicknews@gmail.com (for Britain and Ireland please use the link below).
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Dannygall, its just nerves.
There will be no complacency from the manager or the players
Hail hail mate
TJ
Stokesy to score anytime tomorrow…5/6
not often the bookies give money away
PeteTheBeat on 17 March, 2012 at 21:04 said:
You say Irish rugby does a tremendous job of uniting both communities in Ireland. Give me an example.
In Limerick city where Paul O’Connell grew up, the two “games of the people” are hurling and rugby. Limerick is the only place in Ireland where rugby is embraced by working class people. In most other places rugby is the game for the elitist upper class people. Unlike Gaelic sport and to a lesser degree, soccer, there are virtually no clubs in rural locations. Rugby clubs generally have been founded where the game has been fostered at school level .
In the six counties the game has until recently, been the preserve of state (Protestant) schools. Rugby officials try to promote the game as being the game of all the people. That is balderdash- apart from Limerick.
The final of the Ulster Schools Cup takes place on Monday next. It presents a very interesting scenario. Ballyclare High have reached the final for the first time in 40 years and are paired with Methodist College who have won it more than 30 times.
On facebook etc the supporters of Ballyclare High have made much of the fact that no fewer than 8 of the Methody team also play Gaelic Football with St Brigid’s. They say that it gives the game an extra edge (ie sectarian) the language being used is what we expect from Ibrox direction.
Cross community? Aye ready
as long as they don’t play Ireand’s call before the game we should be fine
UC
Evening bhoys from a hun free mountain.
Been a good Paddy’s day, had a wee bit much of thevino tino, a few cracking results today.
I believe the hun are after St Mirren, not a surprise imo, they would struggle to fill the place anyways going by what I saw of them today, they were woefull, they have only lost Jelavic, listning to swally and the hacks you would have thought they had lost half their team.
I thought fat Winter todaywas better than normal, but still gave thems the benefit on quite a few ocasions, that scum bag elbows, a stratght red all day long, I am not a violent man, but I would take great delight in smacking a baseball bat into his elbow, he does not deserve to be on the same pitch as the young fella he done today, who I would like to see in the hoops along with his mucker JR.
The last 3 seasons keevins tip thems to win the S P L. I take it they are tainted now?? Little runt!!!
Burnley78 @ 21:29,
I posted last night that although tomorrow will be my 15th League Cup Final I’ve only seen us win it 4 times.
Neil Lennon @OfficialNeil · Open
Dolph leading now..playing well and guess what ..he is SMILING
4m Ki Sung-Yueng @KiSungYueng1 · Open
Id be smiling anaw @OfficialNeil If ye didnae take mine an Chas Guinness cargos! StPaddys a aw nights!
Neil Lennon @OfficialNeil Close
@KiSungYueng1 told you already Ki you have had too many noodles tonight
Dick
Stop going to see the huns
Love
TimJim
Try first row for the game 2 morro.
Tommy Joad
I think you’re right. If anyone will ensure no complacency it’s Neil Francis.
Im at an age where its more important for me to have a wee beer BEFORE a big game, to cope with nerves, rather than after the game, when I slump with relief (hopefully}
Best team in the world, and 9 year old junior can’t wait
picture tweeted by Ki! http://twitpic.com/8xp2he
Glasgow
The widest if not wildest small city on earth.
Outwith the infirmity of socialised medicine them bunker few
of get up and go bank tellership remain stilled yet interested in
Providing negative growth clients sundry more burdens of debt through
Repetitive at desk mantras as to embarrass new money for them…through
The keyhole of respectability.
I fecken hate All Banks
HH
Linn o Dee = Orc shop
HH
Mike
Vouge and ITBWP
I know what the picture house was and enjoy pi$$hing in there now.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I_thought_blinker_was_pants on 17 March, 2012 at 21:42 said:
Picture House = Linn O Dee ?
share
Houl your wheest – I agree what you say about the Facebook bigotry from pupils at BallyClare HS is disgusting. However, it’s also a sign of the times that so many of their opposition play GAA.
I go along a couple of times a year to the big games at Ravenhill. Ulster Rugby do a much better job of making their stadium a neutral environment than Windsor Park despite very few Catholics playing rugby as opposed to soccer.
Quick visit, Guiness and Jamesons seem to be winning.Really looking forward to the final.with my bhoy been in hospital the last two.
Thoughts and prayers with the Bolton player; I’m living proof that defibs work!
Hail Hail
Bhoy67
its now a family pub the only one in Ruggerglen as far as as I know…..
I heard that the wee guy Celtic took off the street, fed and cledd him then went to Chelsea is now talking ill of Celtic. Is this true??
Dannygall,
Imagine being nine just now and supporting Celtic?
I was eight when my dad lifted me up in the living room and kissed me when we won the double in ’88. I can still see his face filled with joy and I understood everything then. I knew then that Celtic were his club and my dad loved them so I would as well. I’ll never forget that day.
I hope I’m blessed with offspring soon and to all you fathers out there watching the game with your sons and daughters tomorrow, cherish the goals and the lifting of trophies because weans love to see their parents happy.
Hail hail y’all
TJ
houl yer wheest
a ballyclare high student played for St Enda’s when I played. I wonder if they where aware?
UC
Roy Croppie
Was on that last night!! Luvely )<0))
What with a Welsh slam and the huns losing it felt like a great day until I heard about Muamba. Hope the lad pulls through…
Started the Hail Glorious St Patrick hym with In the war against Rangers in the fight for the cup at the vigil tonight till mrs j gave me a dunttttt!!
PeteTheBeat on 17 March, 2012 at 22:27 said:
The last time I was at Ravenhill the Ulster flags being sold inside the ground were the loyalist type, complete with the crown. This is the organisation which covers nine counties. They argue against Amhran na bhFiann but sell flags which were introduced here by illegal paramilitary organisations.Now I don’t think it helps to make Ravebhill a “neutral venue.”
I’ll not be back.
Tommy Joad
lovely comment.
I remember crying my eyes out when my da took my big bro to the 1972 6-1 SCF v Hibs, & not me, but my time came in the 74 SCF v Dundee Utd
I was lucky that there were 3 generations of us together at the SCF in May – only two generations tomorrow. Make no mstake, our wonderful history will always be passed on.
I actually don’t want us to win the league at Ibrox, i want to win it v st Johnstone so junior can be there, & he can share that fantastic excitement. Oops, I’ve skipped ahead, we’ve got a Final ramorra. Where’s that Perroni?
Just a thought, ghuys. Lots of opinions from everyone about attendance at Ibrox next week. Some of you who would normally never miss it, have stated you wont be going, and said why. Others who will attend, have expressed fear.
If the Celtic players are similar to us, some will be genuinely fearful of next weeks visit to Ibrox.
Maybe some of them – and they are young lads – might not be relishing playing next week. Will that affect their performance tomorrow?
Gordon Strachan, well done on the BBC. That’s the difference!
tspoal
What a guy?. Who??
Edinburgh grassmarket jumping tonight with st Patrick’s day celebrations!
jude
it’s great and a real warmer for tomorrow.
Hail Hail
Thoughts to all going through difficult times worrying about a loved one.
“Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the heart attack centre at London Chest hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care.
“No further information will be issued at this stage. The club has requested the media to respect his family’s privacy at this time.”
Just an update and hoping the boy recovers fully.
Prayers for him and his family tonight.
Petethebeat, re your comments on Irish rugby, I’m not sure if what you say about Rugby uniting the Irish people is true, as I live in Dublin. My point is that the rugby fraternity, particularly the Dublin sect (which controls the media, both print and tv), frankly despise Irish followers of GAA and soccer. For that reason alone, I cannot support Ireland, no matter how many O’Connells or O’Briens play for them.
Houl yer wheest on 17 March, 2012 at 22:38 said:
PeteTheBeat on 17 March, 2012 at 22:27 said:
The last time I was at Ravenhill the Ulster flags being sold inside the ground were the loyalist type, complete with the crown. This is the organisation which covers nine counties. They argue against Amhran na bhFiann but sell flags which were introduced here by illegal paramilitary organisations.Now I don’t think it helps to make Ravebhill a “neutral venue.”
I’ll not be back.
———————-
aye, the same flag that Rory McIlroy insists on wrapping himself in, when he wins tournaments. That flag was on his web-site until very recently. I pointed this out, a few weeks ago on here, and was given pelters for dare suggesting that Rory is a not what he seems.
I would just like to wish Neil & the Bhoys the best of luck for 2mara.
Going to try and keep some kip,but the nerves are at me already,despite the drink.
And no matter what happens,I will always be proud of our manager,his wee team,and the magnificent Celtic support.
Let’s hope that they raise the roof at Hampden once again,and take home the trophy.
Over and out.
jc2 on 17 March, 2012 at 22:28 said:
Sorry mate,that was supposed to be a wee INN joke
between you and me,no offence meant ,all the best.
Hail hail
DUSHANBE BHILLY BHOY on 17 March, 2012 at 22:53 said:
I have never seen Mr McIIroy wrapped in any flag. When he won his first major tournament in America his father was handed an Ulster flag (Sky Sports showed a clip with him holding it) to put on his son but he discarded it.
GL2
Sorry mate had something to do there.
What night are you referring to?